Safafety relief device for low-pressure steam-boilers.



M. C. HONEYWELL. v SAFETYRELIE-F DEVICE FUR LOW PRESSURE STEAM BDILERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3v |9I6.

Patented ont 16,1917.

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this point'of at' y l' will, Without interfering -with the sealing- MARK c. HONEYWELL, or WABASH, INDIA SPECIALTIES COMPANY, `or WABASH, I

NA, ASSIGNOR T0 HONEYWELL HEATING NDIANA, A CORPORATION 0F INDIANA.

SAFETY RELIEF DEVICE FOR LOW-PRESSURE STEAM-BOILERS.

To all whom it may concern l Be it known that I, MARK C. HONEYWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wlabash, in the county of lVabash and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Safety Relief yDevice for LoW-Pressure `SteanrBoilers, of which the following is a speci.ication..`

The advent of low pressure vapor heating, which has occurred comparatively re- "cently, which will positively relieve at a lovv predetermined pressure, usually of from nine to fifteen ounces. This is exceedingly diilicult, it not-impossible, to obtain with reliability by' a. mechanical device. p

It is the object of my present invention to provide such. a device, and one which will at the same time be positive in action and inexpensive to construct and install, which requires no other material than Water and air and suitable conduits and chambers, which automatically re-sets itself: to maintain the desired pressure when, the excess pressure,

condition is relieved, and which if desired action against normal pressure in the associated heating system, permit an ingress of air to such system if a considerablevacuum at times be produced 1n such system.

y The acconipa'nylng drawings illustrate my invention. Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a relief device embody ing `my invention, showing the condition when the pressure in the system is equal to that of the atmosphere; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the condition when the pressure in the system has risen to the predeter mined point `for gradual relielig lig. 3 is a. similar view, showing the condition when gradual relief has been slightly exceeded and there is, rapid relief of pressure; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is ya view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified construction under conditions for gradual relief; Fig. (l is a vievv showing the structure of Fi` i 5, under conditions permitting ingress o air to the associated heating system; and Fig. Tis an elevation of a boiler and part of the vapor ,supply system, showing my safety relief dehas treated a. demand for a device Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. 16, 41917.

Application filed April 3, 1916. Serial N 0. 88,574.

sure vapor for heating is of any suitable character and is connected with the heating system through the usual pipe 11. At any pointl above the iva-ter line on the system, a connection 12 is provided for leading to my pressure relief device. This connection is shown close to the boiler 10,but

the connection may be at any desired place above the Water line. y

The pressure relief devicel comprises fundamentally tWO Waterfcirculating tubes 21" and- 22 which are separated from each other by a partition 23 which extends nearly but not quite to the bottom4 of the circulating tubes so that the two circulating tubes `are Y connected at the bottom beneath such partition; a separating chamber 24 at the top of the tWo circulating tubes 21 and 22 and into which the tube 22 projects a considerable distance, said chamber 24 heilig provided at the top with an outlet 25 which may be connected to any convenient point of discharge if it is desired to carry the discharge away and with an umbrellaV baille plate 26 located heating y in the chamber 24 between the Lipper ends of i the circulating tubes 2l and 22 and the outlet 25; and pressure tube 27 paralleling the circulating tubes 2l. and 22, said pressure tube being provided at the top with an opening 28 forreceiving the connection l2 from the heating system and being connected at the bottom to an intermediate point -on the circulating tube 22 .fairly near the bottom thereof, this connection being' by an opening at the lower edge of the partition 29 separating the tube 27 from the circulating tube 22.

Thus the three tubes 2l, 22, and 27 are all interconnected, so that when filled With water shown in Fig. l the Water level in all said three tubes is the same under balanced pressurese-that isnvhen the pressure in the system equals that of the atmosphere-as indicated in Fig. 1. The filling ci? the tubes with Water may conveniently be through the outlet 25, and after the tubes are once filled any loss is replenished rby'condensation from the heating system. When the Water in the boiler 10 is heated, vapor or low pressure steam is produced, and this pressure vis transmitted through the connection 12 and the opening 28 to the upper sui'- face of the Water in the tube 27,- forcing ldown the water in Such tube and correl tition 29, and the s ndingly raising it in the tubes 21 and 22. y reason of the connection of the two tubes 21 and 22 below the partition 23, the water levels in such two tubes remain always e al as long as the water level in the tube 2 is above the'opening at the bottom -of the par- 29 from the tube 27 into the tube22, rising in s uch tube and escapinlgla't the top thereof, as shown in Fig. 2. ese bubbles carry upward with them the water in the tube 22, which water overflows from the top of such tube into the chamber 24 and returns through the tube 21 and beneath the lower edge of the .partition 23 to the bottom of the tube 22, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, so that under this condition there is a continuous circulation of water upward throu h the tube 22 and downward lthrough the tue 21. The bubbles of steam or water yvapor separate from the water in the chamber 24, pa around the edges ofthe umbrella plate 26, and escape through the outlet 25. This condition continues as long as the pressure in the .heating system remains suiiicient to depress the water level in the tube 27 just barely below the lower edge ofthe partition 29. If the pressure l diminishes such water level rises and the escape of steam or water vapor ceases. However, if the pressure rises sli htly further, the water level in-the tube 2g is depressed further and the water driven completely out of such tube, so as to uncover the entire opening below the partition 29. The steam now aes out from the tube4 27 through this in such tube, 22 the water which is below such -openinfg andV driving upward and entirel)r out 0 the tube the water above such opening, so as to allow a clear passage for the steam or water vapor at this pressure. This is shown in Fig. 3. The chamber 24 is of suilicient size so that the water which.

is thus driven out of the tube 21 is retainedV in such chamber, preferably at a-level not to exceed the ytop of the tube 22. This rapidly relieves the excess pressure, and occurs at only a s'lightlygreater ressure than is required to roduce the? ual relief of the pressure il ustrated'i'n ig. 2. Thus the pressure on the system is positively relieved at a d'elinite low pressure, and the pressure thus cannot exceed that which is necessary vto support the unbalanced water columniu vided by a vertical partition 30 into vtwo plressure on the heating t the water level in the-tu e 27 is' the ktube 21 under the condition shown in Fig. 3. i he tube 27 may be either a simple tube, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or may be ditubes 31 and 32, which together form the Y tube 27, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The

'partition 30 is provided at the bottom with an opening 33 the upper ed e of which is lower than the lower ed e o the artition 29; and at the to exten s to a hig er level than the lower e ge of the opening 28 but not quite to the top of the tube 32, so that the tubes 31 and 33 are connected at both top and bottom. Under pressure conditions in the heating s stem, the' arrangement shown in Figs. 5 an 6 acts exactly the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the steam or vapor actin'simultaneously on the upper survace of t e water in the two tubes 31 and 32, and pressing down the water level in such two tubes simultaneously and equally, f

to permit the escape of steam in bubbles or in a continuous stream exactly as described' 4and as illustrated in Figs'. 2 and 3, this condition for the escape of steam or water vapor in bubbles being illustrated in Fig. 5.

The particular advantage of the two tubes ing in such tube,ord1narily by bubbles, and

escaping into the system through the openf ing 28 and connectlon 12, but retaining the water in the tubes 31 and 32 because the airseparates from the water as it passes over fthe top ofthe partition 30 and the water openlng and lnto the tube 22, holding down dropsA down into theV tube 31 and descends therein and through the opening 33 into the and downward in lthe tube 31.A The tubes 31 I and 32 are together preferably made of sufiicient size so as, to eontainpsuicient water for maintaining the seal ofthe pressure dei vice when the vacuum condition in the system ceases to exist. The arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 will also serve to admit air to the stem under vacuum conditions, in substantlally the Vsame way, Abut because of the singleness of the tube 27 in such arrangement the water seal may be lost when,

the vacuum condition ceases to exist if the air admission is suiliciently violent to carry with it intothe system the water xom'thev tube 27; so that for conditions where vacuum may exist the arrangement shownt in Figs. 5 and G is preferred.

I claim as my invention:

l. A. relief device for l'luid pressure systems, comprising three liquid-containing tubes all higher at one end than at the other, two of said tubes heilig connected at a low point, a separating chamber provided with an outlet. and into which said two tubes open upwardly al a high point on such tubes. said chamber being provided with a hallle. plate above the point where said twov tubes enter said chamber. and said third tube heilig connected to one of said first tubes at. an intermediate point between the levels where such tirst two tubes are connected together and are connected to said chamber and being connected at a higher point to the i'n'essure system. that one. of said first two tubes to which the. third tube is connected constituting the connection hetween t'he other ol said first tubes and Said third tube.

Q. A relelrdeviee lor fluid pressure sys- 'tenis` roniln'ising three liquid containing tubes all higher at one end than at. the other, two of said tubes being connected at. a low point, a separating chamber provided with an outlet and into which said two tubes open at ahigh point on such tubes, said chamber being provided with a battle plate above the point where said two tubes enter said chamber', and said third tube being connected to one ofsaid 'first tubes at an intermediate point between the levelswhere such first two tubes are connected together and are connected to said chamber and being connected at a higher point to the pressure system.l said third tube being provided with a. dividing partition through which the two parts of such tube are connected at higher and lower points, such higher point beilg higher than the lower part of the connectlon of said third 'tube to the pressure system and such lower point being lower than the connection of said third tube toone of said first two tubes.

A relief device for fluid pressure systems, comprising three liquid containing tubes all higher at one end than at the other, two of said tubes being connected at a low point, a separating chamber provided with an outlet and intoV which said two tubes open at a high point on such tubes, and'said third tube being connected to one of said first tubes at an intermediate point between the levels where such first two tubes are connected` to ether and areconnected to said chamber anc being connected at a higher point to the pressure system,- said third tube being -provided' with a dividing partition thro-ugh wh-ich the two parts of such tube are connected at higher and lower points, Such higher point being higher than the lower part of the connection of said. third tube to the pressure system and suel1 lower point being lower than the. connection of said third tube to one of said first two tubes.

y-l. reliell device for fluid pressure systems, roniprisiug' three liduideoutuining tubes` all higher at one end than at the. other. two oil,r said tubes heilig connected at u low point', a separating chamber provided with un outlet and into which said two tubes open ut; a high point ou such tubes, said chamber being provided with a hatl'le plate above the point where said two tubes enter said rhainher, and said third tube heilig connected to one of said lirst tubes at an intermediate point het weeu the levels where such first two tubes are connected together and are connected to said chamber and being connected at a higher point to the pressure svsleni. said third tuhe being provided with :i dividing partition through which the two parts ol such tuhe are eonuerled at higher and lower points.

fi. relief device for f'luid pressure tenis` comprising three lirpiid -conluiniug tubes all higher at one end than at the other, two ot said tubes4 being connected at a low point, a separating chamber provided with an outlet and into whichsaid two tubes open at a high pointI on such tubes, 'and said third tube being connected to one of'said first tubos at an intermediate point between the levels where such rst two tubes are connected together and are connected tt: said chamber and being connected at a higher point to the pressure system, said third tube being provided with a dividing partition through which the two parts of sueh tube are connected at higher and lower points.

(i. relief device for fluid pressure systenisy comprising three liquid containing tubes all higher at one end than at the other. two oi said tubes being connected at a` low point. a separating Chamber provided with an outlet and into which said two tubes open at a high point on such tubes. said chamber .being provided with a ballieiplate above the point where said two tubes 4eti-ter said chamber'. and said third tube being connected to one ot said first tubes at an intermediate point between the levels where-such first two tubes are connected together and are connected to said chamber and being connect-ed at n bigber point to the pressure, system, that one of said first two tubes to which said third tube is connected projecting upward into said chamber and the ca- 1l, Ci

parity of said chamber below the top o'l. the i tube which projects in to it being sufficient to hold all theliquid from said tube above the point of its connection to said third tube.

7. A relief device for fluid heating 4systems, comprising three liquidcontaining tubes all higher at one end than at the other, two of said tubes being connected at a low p'oint,a se aratin chamber providedwithan outlet an in to w ich said two tubes open at a high point on such tubes, and said third tube being connected to one of said tubes at an intermediate point between the levels where such' first two tubes are con' nected together and are connected to said chamber and being connected at' a hlgher point to the pressure system, that one ofi' said first two tubes to which said third tube is connected projecting upward into said chamber and the capacity of said chamber below the to of the tube which projects into bein su cient t0 hold all the liquid' from said tu e above the point of its connection to said third tube.

8.A relief device for fluid pressure sysv tems, comprising three liquid-containing tubes all higher at one end than at the other, two of said tubes being connected at a. low point, a separating chamber provided with an outlet and into which said two tubes open at 'a high point on such tubes, said chamber beingprovided, with a baille plate Y connected atahigher above the point where said ftwo tubes enter said chamber, and said third tube being connected to one of said first tubes at an inl tex-mediate 'point between the levels where such first twotubes are connected together and are connected to said chamber and'being ointto the pressure system, that one 'of said iirst two tubes to whichsaid 4third tube is connected projecting upwurclinto .said chamber.

9. A relief device for fluid pressure systems, comprising three liquid-containingtubes all hi her atene end :than at the other, two of sai tubes' being interconnected at higher and lower points, one of said two tubes being connected at an .intermediate oint to a low point on said third tube and eing connected at a higher point to the ati mosphere, and'said third tube being provided at a high point with an lopening for connection to the associated pressure sys- 4 tem,said third'tube being providedfwith a .l one ofsaid parts.

-dividing 'partition separating itl into two.` parts whichv are connected at higher and.

oweripoints, the connectionv of said' thirdtube to' one of' said lfirst two tubes being by 10. As ain article of manufacture, a relief device for iiuid pressure systems', compris- -v ing two parts, one ofsaid parts consistin of a unitary .tubular member provided wit longitudinal` partitins so as to form three t passa ways of which the middle one is conne'cte at a low rpointto one ofthe outside ones and at a higher point to the other outside one, said last-named outsidel AElSa way bein `provided with a connectioni et at a stilll igher point,v and the other ofv said parts consisting of a vented hollow shell vmounted en the top of the vfirstpart and communicating with the middle assageway and with: the firstl of the outsi e passageways 11. As anarticle of manufacture, a relief device for fluid lpressure systems, comprising two parts, one of said parts consistin of a unitary tubular vmember provided witi longitudinal partitions so as to form' three passagewaysv of whichl the middlel one is connected at a low side ones and at a'hi'gher point to the-other outside one, said last-named outside passa epoint to one of the outway bein provided with a connection -in et at a still igher point, andthe other of said parts consisting lof. a vented hollow shell mounted on the top of the first part and communicating with the middle passageway and with the first of th'e outside assageways, said second part' having a ba e plate directly above the upper end s of the' two passageways o ening into it, the vent being above said ba e plate. A

12. As an article ofmanufacture, a relief device for fluid pressure systems, comprising 'two 'a unitary tubular4 mem r' provided lwith longitudinalpartitions so as to form. three arts, o ne of said artsv consisting of passageways of which the middle .oneis connected at a low point to one of the outside ones andat a higher point to theother outside one, said last-named outside :passageway beinprovided with a/oormection inletA at a still gherpoint, and the other of said parts consisting of a ventedhollowshell als mounted on the topof the first part and Y communicating with the middle vpassageway and with the first ofthe outside passageways', the first of said outside passageways opening into said chamber at'alower vpoint v than said middle passageway..

In witness' whereof, `I have hereunto set my hand at Wabash, Indiana this 27th day of March, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and sixteen. I v e MARK C. HONEYWELL. Witnesses: 4

DJW. RODIBAUGH, M. WALKER. 

